[LPF] Faith and Good Works

Orlando stops occasionally and takes a deep breath but it never feels like he is getting quite enough air; the air seems much thinner up here than it does in Venza. He mentions it to the others but then hares off into a tale from his boyhood when he was out cutting reeds for his father and was faced with a gasping fishman. How he thought it was a genie and tried to get three wishes from it and the resulting chaos is ridiculously funny and strains belief. From the looks of him, Orlando would appear to be one of Venza's infamous bravos but the masterful telling of his tale reveals, unexpectedly, that he could easily make his living as a bard.

"...I swear on Cortessa's T... Teeth, it's all true."

[sblock=OOC]Position: D6
Perform (Oratory): 1d20+13=33
Perception: 1d20+10=20[/sblock]


• Orlando Furioso •

[sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Fury[/size] Human Rogue 5 / Bard 2
Initiative: +7 Perception: +10

AC: 23 (16 touch; 18 flat-footed)
HP: 56 Current: 56
CMB: +6 CMD: 21 Fort: +3 Ref: +13 Will: +5

In Hand:

Spells Remaining: 1st: 2/2[/sblock]

Completely caught off guard by Fury's masterful telling of the tale and comedic timing, Bren finds himself gasping for air as he laughs uproariously.

[sblock=OOC]Perception (1d20+15=19)
Position: D7[/sblock]

_______________


[sblock=Mini Stats]
Breninyr Hydref
Initiative: +0
AC: 22 (22 Flat-Footed, 19 Touch)
HP: 56/56
CMB: +7 CMD: 24 (+9/26 vs Grapple)
Fort: +10 Reflex: +07 Will: +16

Senses: DarkVision
Perception: +15, Sense Motive: +10

Current Weapon in Hand: None

Special Abilities: Advice (10/10 Rnds), Calming Touch (09/09), Channel Energy (10/10)
Special Abilities: Inspiring Command (09/09), Stunning Fist: Fatigue, Crushing Blow (07/07)
Special Abilities: Ki Pool (08/08)

Prayers Available
Orisons: Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic, Stabilize
1st Level: Bless, Bless, Divine Favor, Murderous Command, Ray of Sickening, Sanctuary
2nd Level: Bull's Strength, Prot from Evil (C), Prot from Evil (C), Shield Other, Spiritual Weapon
3rd Level: Archon's Aura, Invisibility Purge, Prayer
[/sblock]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera smiles at the story-telling, but tries to keep herself focused on the task at hand. She and the husky are taking point and walking in front of Fury and Bren while they enjoy their afternoon stroll.

Carak is apparently enjoying the tale too much as he attention is not very focused.

She smirks, "What does the Lady's teeth have to do with anything?" Cythera guess that was not what Fury was planning to swear on.

[Sblock=OOC]Cythera in front of Fury, Carak in front of Bren. Actual squares depend on direction of travel. Heading north that would be E6 & E7
Cythera: Survival (1d20+4=10) & Perception (1d20+7=15)
Carak: Survival (W/Scent) (1d20+5=6) & Perception (1d20+8=11)[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +8
AC: 24 (21 flat-footed, 15 Touch)
HP: 65 Current: 65
CMB: +10 CMD: 25 (26 vs. Sundering) Fort: +7 Reflex: +9 Will: +7
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive (visibility<40ft) or longbow (visibility>40ft)
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 5/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 14/14 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation, Mending)
1st Level 4/4 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13), Vanish)

Carak
Initiative: +2; Senses: low-light vision, scent; Perception: +8
AC: 16 (flat-footed 14, touch 12) HP: 13/13
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 (19 vs. trip) Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +1[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan Carak

Fury finishes his story just as some loose scree comes tumbling down from the eastern side of the path. Standing on the ledge above is a hideous humanoid in spiked scale mail, with back-bent legs and horrific, extended jaws. The creature lets loose with an unearthly screech of rage and leaps down at Bren, pickaxe whirling. As fast as the creature is, the aasimar is faster -- barely. Bren spins away just as the weapon cuts through the air exactly where he had been standing.

Other creatures, roused by the first one's cry, answer and charge from hiding places above and around the road. One is close enough to engage the party, and rushes at Cythera and moderately wounds her.




[sblock=GM]The party is not surprised, but the wrathspawn win initiative anyway (by literally the smallest possible margin). Fury and Bren can make DC 17 K-Dungeoneering checks to peek at the SRD wrathspawn entry now. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for Cythera to fill you in. FYI, these are advanced versions of wrathspawn, so don't expect them to be CR2.

Wrathspawn 1 hops down, makes Acrobatics check to avoid damage, misses Bren.

Wrathspawn 2 appears from hiding at J9, moves up, hits Cythera for 11 damage.

[sblock=Cythera]These wrathspawn look stronger and fouler than the ones you previously encountered. The weapons and armor look the same, though.[/sblock][/sblock][sblock=Combat Information]
Wrathspawn 1: Uninjured, pickaxe in hand, AC 23, Rage (1)
Wrathspawn 2: Uninjured, pickaxe in hand, AC 23, Rage (1)
Wrathspawn 3: Uninjured, pickaxe in hand, AC 25
Wrathspawn 4: Uninjured, pickaxe in hand, AC 25

Cythera: 54/65
Fury: 56/56
Bren: 56/56
Carak: 13/13[/sblock][sblock=Map, Round 1][/sblock]

Bren sidesteps cooly and eyes the attacking creatures. "Fear not, my friends! Screw your courage to the sticking point, and we shall not fail!"

[sblock=Actions]

• Free: 5' Step to C8
• Standard: Inspiring Command (Cythera and Fury gain +2 AC, Attack, CMD & Skill Checks for one round (Insight Bonus)

[/sblock]
_______________


[sblock=Mini Stats]
Breninyr Hydref
Initiative: +0
AC: 22 (22 Flat-Footed, 19 Touch)
HP: 56/56
CMB: +7 CMD: 24 (+9/26 vs Grapple)
Fort: +10 Reflex: +07 Will: +16

Senses: DarkVision
Perception: +15, Sense Motive: +10

Current Weapon in Hand: None

Special Abilities: Advice (10/10 Rnds), Calming Touch (09/09), Channel Energy (10/10)
Special Abilities: Inspiring Command (09/09), Stunning Fist: Fatigue, Crushing Blow (07/07)
Special Abilities: Ki Pool (08/08)

Prayers Available
Orisons: Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic, Stabilize
1st Level: Bless, Bless, Divine Favor, Murderous Command, Ray of Sickening, Sanctuary
2nd Level: Bull's Strength, Prot from Evil (C), Prot from Evil (C), Shield Other, Spiritual Weapon
3rd Level: Archon's Aura, Invisibility Purge, Prayer
[/sblock]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Caught off guard, Cythera mutters an unladylike curse. Tossing aside her bow, she quickly pulls out her flail and begins the Battle Dance while putting in arcane energy into her weapon. Stepping between the two wraithspawn she says, "Wraithspawn! Watch out for their bites, they will make you sick. No need to use spells on them, these things bleed well enough."

She smashes the heavy flail into the one that wounded her, feeling a satisfying crunch of bone.

Dropping the flail, she quickly brings her glaive into action to receive the next two aberrations that try to attack her.

Carak fails to bite the creature that threatens Cythera.

[Sblock=Actions]Carak attacks #2 : Bite (1d20+3=8, 1d6+3=7)

Cythera: Free Action Quick draws Hvy Flail after dropping longbow
Activates Arcane Strike as Swift Action
Begin Battle Dance as Move Action
Melee attack on #2 : Hvy Flail (PA/FF/Ins Cmd/Bat Dance) (1d20+14=30, 1d10+16=21)
Free action Quick Draw Glaive
Reach AoO: AoO Glaive (PA/Ins Cmd/Bat Dance) (1d20+12=29, 1d10+16=21)
[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +8
AC: 24 (21 flat-footed, 15 Touch) 26 with Inspired Command
HP: 54 Current: 65
CMB: +10 CMD: 25 (26 vs. Sundering) Fort: +7 Reflex: +9 Will: +7
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop, Inspire Courage (+1 Att/Dmg), Inspired Command (+2 Att/AC)

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 5/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 13/14 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation, Mending)
1st Level 4/4 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13), Vanish)

Carak
Initiative: +2; Senses: low-light vision, scent; Perception: +8
AC: 16 (flat-footed 14, touch 12) HP: 13/13
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 (19 vs. trip) Fort: +5 Reflex: +5 Will: +1[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan Carak

Orlando blushes a little when Cythera calls him out on his swearing by the goddess but doesn't have the chance to respond before they are attacked by some alien-looking creatures. Feeling inspired by Bren's exhortations Orlando whips his rapier from its sheath, steps up to Cythera's side and stabs at the creature. His strike is mistimed and the creature, the wrathspawn as Cythera called it, avoids his attack.

"Gods curse it! Ugly thing. Wrathspawn, you say?"

[sblock=OOC]
Free: draw rapier
Other: 5 ft. step to E5
Standard: 1d20+12=19, 1d6+3=8[/sblock]


• Orlando Furioso •

[sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Fury[/size] Human Rogue 5 / Bard 2
Initiative: +7 Perception: +10

AC: 23 (16 touch; 18 flat-footed)
HP: 56 Current: 56
CMB: +6 CMD: 21 Fort: +3 Ref: +13 Will: +5

In Hand:

Spells Remaining: 1st: 2/2[/sblock]

The wrathspawn next to Carak focuses on the poor dog, grievously injuring the animal with its pick but unable to land its bite. The other wrathspawn already in the melee attacks Cythera again, wounding the warrior maiden with its pick but also unable to connect with its snapping jaws.

Of the two other wrathspawn, one closes to melee with Bren, but misses, and one closes to melee with Fury, drawing an attack from Cythera, but has no time to attack before the party is ready to respond.




[sblock=GM]Wrathspawn 1: Full attack on Carak. Pick hits for 10, bite misses.

Wrathspawn 2: Full attack on Cythera. Pick hits for 14, bite misses.

Wrathspawn 3: Move to attack Bren, makes acrobatics to avoid damage, misses Bren.

Wrathspawn 4: Double move, drawing AoO.[/sblock][sblock=Combat Information]
Wrathspawn 1: Uninjured, pickaxe in hand, AC 23, Rage (2)
Wrathspawn 2: Injured, 21 damage, pickaxe in hand, AC 23, Rage (2)
Wrathspawn 3: Uninjured, pickaxe in hand, AC 23, Rage (1)
Wrathspawn 4: Injured, 21 damage, pickaxe in hand, AC 25

Cythera: 40/65
Fury: 56/56
Bren: 56/56
Carak: 3/13[/sblock][sblock=Map, Round 2][/sblock]

Bren takes a step back from the ravening monster attacking him and takes an instant to center himself; as he taps his qi the world snaps into focus and he becomes acutely aware of everything going on around him. "M'Lady, you've fought these before? Do they live, or are they the walking dead they appear to be?" He focuses his will, calling on the deities of Irthos for support and succor; a wave of warm regard washes over the group, leaving them much refreshed.

[sblock=Actions]

• Free: 5' Step to C7
• Swift: Activate Ki Defense (+4 Dodge Bonus to AC)
• Standard: Channel Energy, excluding the Wrathspawn just in case.

[/sblock]

[sblock=Mini Stats]
Breninyr Hydref
Initiative: +0
AC: 26 (22 Flat-Footed, 23 Touch)
HP: 56/56
CMB: +7 CMD: 29 (+9/30 vs Grapple)
Fort: +10 Reflex: +07 Will: +16

Senses: DarkVision
Perception: +15, Sense Motive: +10

Current Weapon in Hand: None

Special Abilities: Advice (10/10 Rnds), Calming Touch (09/09), Channel Energy (09/10)
Special Abilities: Inspiring Command (08/09), Stunning Fist: Fatigue, Crushing Blow (07/07)
Special Abilities: Ki Pool (07/08)

Prayers Available
Orisons: Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic, Stabilize
1st Level: Bless, Bless, Divine Favor, Murderous Command, Ray of Sickening, Sanctuary
2nd Level: Bull's Strength, Prot from Evil (C), Prot from Evil (C), Shield Other, Spiritual Weapon
3rd Level: Archon's Aura, Invisibility Purge, Prayer
[/sblock]

"Cortessa lend me your skill," mutters Orlando in a hurried prayer.

These creatures seem intelligent enough to use weapons and set an ambush so Orlando hopes that they will be fooled by one of his combat tricks. Faking a stumble he twists past the wrathspawn to one side and thrusts upward with his rapier. Again the creature manages to avoid Orlando's strike.

[sblock=OOC]
Move: Bluff to Feint: 1d20+11=23
Free: 5 ft. step to F4
Standard: Rapier attack to #4 : 1d20+10=16, 1d6+3=5, 3d6=13[/sblock]


• Orlando Furioso •

[sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Fury[/size] Human Rogue 5 / Bard 2
Initiative: +7 Perception: +10

AC: 23 (16 touch; 18 flat-footed)
HP: 56 Current: 56
CMB: +6 CMD: 21 Fort: +3 Ref: +13 Will: +5

In Hand: rapier

Spells Remaining: 1st: 2/2[/sblock]